On January 1, 2026, President of India Droupadi Murmu launched a series of initiatives under the Skilling for AI(Artificial Intelligence) Readiness(SOAR) programme, an integral component of the Skill India Mission(SIM), at an event organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre(RBCC) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- During the event, she launched the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’ under the Skilling for AI Readiness initiative and also virtually inaugurated the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) centre at Rairangpur in Odisha.
Exam Hints:
- What? President Droupadi Murmu launches Initiatives under SOAR
- Where? New Delhi (Delhi)
- When? At SOAR programme
- Key Initiatives:
- Virtual Inauguration: IGNOU Regional & Skill Centre, Rairangpur, Odisha
- Certificate: AI certificates conferred to students and MPs completing AI modules
- Launch of #SkillTheNation Challenge– To build a future-ready, inclusive AI-skilled workforc
Key Highlights:
Dignitaries: Some of the dignitaries, including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), and Union Minister of State (MoS) Jayant Chaudhary, MoE, Independent Charge (IC) for MSDE, were also present at the event.
Conferment of AI Certificates: As part of the programme, President Droupadi Murmu conferred AI certificates to students and Members of Parliament (MPs) who completed various AI learning modules under the SOAR initiative.
Inauguration of IGNOU Regional & Skill Centre: The centre was inaugurated to expand higher education and skill development opportunities in the tribal-dominated areas of northern Odisha.
- The centre aims to improve access to distance education, vocational training, and skill-oriented programmes, particularly for young people from rural and underserved areas.
About SkillTheNation Challenge:
Overview: The initiative is a nationwide AI skilling programme launched under SOAR by the MSDE to expand AI awareness, learning, and certification across India.
Workforce Development: The initiative aims to create a future-ready and inclusive workforce by strengthening AI literacy among students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and learners from urban, semi-urban, and rural regions, while encouraging innovation and real-world application of AI solutions.
Focus: The challenge focuses on building a future-ready, inclusive workforce, making AI skills accessible to youth, professionals, and learners from all regions.
Learning & Partnerships: It delivers online and offline training, in collaboration with IGNOU and Skill Centres, and offers multi-level courses from beginner to advanced learners.
About SOAR:
Programme: The SOAR programme was launched by the MSDE to integrate AI learning into school education and teacher training.
Target Audience: The programme focuses on students from class 6 to 12and educators across India.
Learning Modules: Students undergo three 15-hour modules, while teachers complete a 45-hour module covering AI, machine learning, data literacy, and ethical technology use.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister (CM) – Mohan Charan Majhi
Governor – Hari Babu Kambhampati
Capital – Bhubaneswar
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Gahirmatha WLS, Bhitarkanika WLS
